Domashny Ochag Held "Tasty and Wholesome" Festival
Domashny Ochag held its second "Tasty and Wholesome" family food festival at Moscow's Katerina Park on June 1 to 3. The weather was not very cooperative, but that did not stop guests and participants from enjoying the homey atmosphere and the many tasty and wholesome treats available. More than 23,000 people attended the festival.
Festival guests participated in what was essentially a large picnic in this picturesque park in the city center. Visitors could learn to cook a variety of dishes under the tutelage of professional chefs, television personalities and the authors of best-selling cookbooks at one of the three main Tasty and Wholesome kitchens set up on site. The kitchens were well-appointed and stylish, with furniture and dishware from IKEA, large appliances by Smeg and smaller appliances by Kitchen Aid. Professional chefs conducted workshops in the first kitchen, guests could cook their own concoctions in the second kitchen, and the third was set aside especially for children. Weber, a leading manufacturer of barbecue equipment, also conducted a Grill Academy for anyone wanting to learn the art of making smoked foods.
The Blue Dragon manufacturer of Eastern and Asian food products invited festival guests to try authentic Asian cuisine and to purchase everything necessary to create the same dishes at home. The Mistral company shared its new product, Kinoa Mix. Internet store Delikateska.ru held a workshop on making an exotic fish and seafood delight. Specialists from the Golden Rooster brand explained how to make dinner from natural chicken meat in a matter of minutes and festival partner White Dacha offered ideas for the latest summer salads. The Okraina brand treated interested festival guests to mini-hotdogs with various fillings and the Molochnaya Zdravnitsa company handed out milkshakes. The 36.6 pharmacy chain told guests about beauty and health products sold under their own brand name and provided consultations on bioactive additives and healthy eating.
Several outdoor cafes sprang up on the festival grounds as well. The Kreperi de Paris offered their famous French crepes and biscuits with a variety of fillings and guests could indulge in Thai cuisine at a cafe run by Tai Tai, one of Moscow's most famous Thai food restaurants. The Prancing Dreadnought restaurant offered a menu of meat dishes, including the popular Yakitoria Bento.
It was fun for all cooking lovers to discover new brands as well as new products provided by familiar brands. The Total City Food company offered products made in Italy: pasta, olive oil from different regions of Italy, all-natural sauces, famous Italian cheeses and olives from Casa Rinaldi, Callipo, Quaranta and Hombre Bio. At the Bongren East Europe booth, adults and children could revel in French culture, buy Petit Louis cheese for children and experience the full gamut of flavors in Milkana cheese.
The Stolichnye Shtuchki company offered exclusive, top-quality yet affordable products that included nuts and chocolate-covered roasted nuts, candies made of nougat and caramel, and candy made from Belgian chocolate. As for the children, they chose healthy and delicious Alpen granola bar snacks. Specialists from Twinings, the official tea supplier to the British royal court, explained quality tea blends and various traditions for drinking tea. Melitta company experts indulged guests with an unforgettable experience drinking their exquisite specialty coffees.
Per tradition, whole families attended the festival, and there were interesting activities for everyone. Children could participate in cooking workshops in the designated Tasty and Wholesome kitchen or in Domashny Ochag arts and crafts workshops. In a pavilion set up by Mother and Child, Russia's only 24-hour TV channel for mothers, experts told festival guests the best way to read fairy tales to their children, which books are most beneficial for little ones and at what age children should learn to read. Guests could also visit Bumper, a unique bookstore on wheels.
Hasbro provided a play zone where children could have fun shooting Nerf blasters, take part in creative contests with My Little Pony, sculpt figures with Play-Doh and play all of their favorite board games. Kids could also try their hands at sand drawing, creating images on a Wacom electronic tablet and learn to use Kukumba art sets. Children could also enjoy an aquarium, fairy tales and music from Melody, calisthenics by the Fiesta Park eco-hotel and lots of active games.
The interactive program onstage at the park featured the premiere of the IKEA film "Good Things are Forever," a performance by the Dance Workshop, a theatrical presentation by Good Taste Theater, a maracatu performance, a special entertainment program for children and even a romantic evening of live music hosted by Romantika radio. The Jazz Dance Orchestra gave a rousing performance on Saturday, followed by the Pizza group on Sunday.
An informational marathon for 10 different charitable foundations was also held during the festival that enabled people to learn more about their respective activities, sign up as a volunteer and make contributions in person.
People who grew tired of all the bustle could simply lie on the grass, relax in a hammock, fashion a brightly colored head wreath, munch on carrots and just enjoy a summer day spent in good company.
View photos of the festival at .
